Time Managment 6.1 define activities

Quick Link for Time Management

Time Managment 6.1 define activities

Time Management 6.2 sequence activities

Time Managment 6.3 Estimate Activity Resources

Time Management 6.4 Estimate Activity Durations:

Time Management 6.5 Develop Schedule:

Time Management 6.6 Control Schedule:

Activities define involves identifying and documenting the specific activities that must be performed to produce 

the deliverables identified by the WBS. Activities are planned down to the work package level, which is the lowest 

level displayed in the WBS. PMI also says that work packages may be decomposed another level, which is

designated as activities or schedule activities. 

Define Activities
Inputs	Tools	Outputs
1.       Scope baseline 2.       Enterprise environment  factors 3.       Organizational process assets	1.       Decomposition 2.       Rolling wave planning 3.       Templates 4.       Expert judgment	1.       Activity list 2.       Activity attributes 3.       Milestone list

Three key inputs for define activities:

1.       Scope baseline: the information explicitly used at this step includes project deliverable, constraints and assumption.

2.       Enterprise environment factors: The project management information system is the relevant factor that may be used for activity definition.

3.       Organizational process assets: The specific organizational process assets that may affect defining project activities include:

·        Formal and informal activity planning procedures and guidelines

·        Lessons learned knowledge base and historical information (activity lists from previous, similar project)

Four key tools for define activities:

1. Decomposition: Subdividing project activities into smaller components. The lowest level shown in the WBS is the work package; however, work packages can be further decomposed into “schedule activities,” which are the steps required to produce the work package deliverables. PMI indicates that a complete activity list includes all the activities necessary to complete each work package.
2. Rolling wave planning: A form of progressive elaboration where work to be performed in the near term is planned at a low level of the WBS (work package), detail (at a higher level of the WBS, perhaps a milestone or what some practitioners call a planning package). Course slide # 41 shows what this timing distinction might look like.
3. Templates: using previous activity lists (or portions thereof) as a guide.
4. Expert judgment: Using appropriate subject matter experts to ensure the activity definition is accurate.

Three key outputs for defines activities:

1. Activity list: A comprehensive list of all activities that must be performed. The list should include all activities (including those decomposed below the work package level), an activity identifier (code if accounts number) and a sufficient description of the work.
2. Activity attributes: Much like the WBS dictionary, activity attributes include detailed information for each activity. The amount of information increases as the project progresses (progressive elaborations) activity attributes includes the following information.

·        Activity ID,WBS ID and activity name

·        Activity description

·        Predecessor and successor activity (for sequencing)

·        Logical relationships (type of dependency)

·        Leads and lags

·        Resource requirements

·        Imposed dates and constraints

·        Assumptions

·        Responsible resource

·        Geographical area (if work done in multiple locations)

3. Milestone list: Milestones are important points in time and they have zero duration. Milestones may be requested or demanded by the customer, management, the team or may be required or demanded by the contract. Typical milestones often include the data on which important activities begin or end.